hepa filter integrity test acceptance criteria
Because sampling for Legionella can be inconclusive, sampling results alone should not determine the appropriate course of action in a building where an outbreak has occurred. Provide a way to drain water sumps when not in use, e.g., an electric solenoid valve on the sump drain. It is preferable to accomplished this by measuring the water stream flowing from the water source and not by placing the thermometer in the sample container. These steps may include increased frequency of application or concentration of biocides, pH adjustment, additional "shock" treatments, or any other action that reduces Legionella levels. If this process detects one or more additional cases of disease, then the facility should be considered to have experienced an outbreak. Environmental Health Standards, 1989. Eliminate all water leaks and remove any standing water found in the system. establish that at different locations within the tunnel, a count size of "Sporadic legionellosis in the U.S.: the first 1000 cases." Record the general condition of the cooling tower. A positive urine antigen test for a diagnosed pneumonia case is also accepted as evidence of a confirmed case. Under normal conditions, condensate pans on coiling coils should not serve as a water source in which amplification of the bacteria can occur because the temperature of the water is below 20°C (68°F). Air Borne He/she has signed a medical release giving us permission to contact you to obtain information about her/his recent illness. the dwell time, all temperature measured in the chamber is ≥ Included are proper maintenance procedures for controlling the organism in a facility's water sources. When evaluating this path, you should consider: building effects (e.g., low-pressure zones on leeward sides of buildings and on roof); Fresh-air intake areaways, typically concrete plenums located at grade level, supply fresh air to air handlers in the basement or lower levels of buildings and can collect organic material (e.g. Water tanks that allow water to remain uncirculated for long periods can also promote growth of bacteria. Ethics & Compliance: Ethical principles and criteria guide every step they take. Upon re-use of a water system following treatment, periodic maintenance and regular water sampling are essential to ensure that the maintenance continues to be effective. This information will be helpful in identifying the source of the disease if the subtype of L. pneumophila has been identified in the afflicted worker population. Three run to be Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, Minimizing The Risk of Legionnaires' Disease, Delta House, 222 Balham High Rd., London 1987. Washington, DC 20210
Cultured samples can also be analyzed to identify specific serogroups. However, improperly operated and maintained systems that use warm, stagnant sump water can present problems. Operate all HVAC equipment as originally designed, and maintain it so that it can perform as designed. starting and after completion of validation studies. A fourfold increase in the antibody titer coupled with a physician's diagnosis of pneumonia is considered a reliable indicator of disease. Specific preventive steps include: Regularly maintain and clean cooling towers and evaporative condensers to prevent growth of. To If evidence indicates more than one case of Legionnaires' disease at the workplace, then the site should be treated as having an outbreak. Muraca, J. Joly, N. Troup, and L.S. supply. Necessary medical information may be communicated only with the patient's written permission. Refill with clean water in accordance with an effective water treatment program. No. Approximately 1,000 cases are reported annually to the CDC, but it is estimated that over 25,000 cases of the illness occur each year and cause more than 4,000 deaths. Am. For the present, please pay attention to the following important points: If you have any concerns or questions concerning this issue, please ask your manager. Society for Micro., Jan. 26-29, 1992, Orlando Fl. Inactive sumps must be properly drained and bled to prevent accumulation of sediments. Part of this surveillance will be to ask you a few questions about your illness when you call in sick to your supervisor. Note the location and evaluate the condition of the sumps for the cooling tower(s), evaporative condenser(s), and fluid cooler(s). Ying. Take a sample from the water reservoirs. Following retreatment, resume weekly testing and repeat the schedule outlined in step 5. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
________________, Calibration et. "Comparative assessment of chlorine, heat, ozone, and UV light for killing Legionella pneumophila within a model plumbing system." Locate HVAC fresh-air intakes so that they do not draw the mist from a cooling tower, evaporative condenser, or fluid cooler into the system. Measure Air velocity 6 inches below the filter at 5 locations (four corner Ann. In addition to Legionnaires' disease, the same bacteria also cause a flu-like disease called Pontiac fever. Remember that these numbers are only guidelines, and the goal is zero detectable Legionella in a water source. The following questions and answers will help you learn more of what is currently known about Legionnaires' disease. : Equipment Mechanical & Electrical Equipment for Buildings, 11th edition, John Willey. These devices mix water and air in direct contact to create a cool, wet air stream by evaporation. They may contain a sump filled with contaminated water. The location of any evaporative cooling systems or humidifiers. ________________________________, Did you go to any shopping malls? _________________ _________________ ____________, (QA) Step 5. Various methods are used to confirm the presence of the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, there are between 10,000 and 50,000 cases of Legionnaire's disease every year in the U.S. We are cooperating fully with local health officials who are investigating this matter. No, Legionnaires' disease is not new, but it has only recently been identified. A MERV 16 filter captures more than 95% of particles over the full range from 0.3 microns and larger. Disinfect the system using any effective chemical, thermal, or other treatment method. No deaths have been reported from Pontiac fever. d) If shipping on a Friday, make arrangements for weekend receipt. Record temperatures at locations near, intermediate, and distant from the heaters. 0.5µ and 5.0 µ, The Examine sick leave records to identify all employees who used three or more consecutive days of sick leave from 6 weeks before the earliest known case to the present. Cold-water humidifiers require rigorous maintenance to ensure that the water source does not contribute to potential problems. Draw 200 milliliters to 1 liter of water from the draw-off valve of all water heaters into a sterile container. If any sample shows one or more CFU of Legionella per milliliter, retreat and retest the system according to the schedule above (step 5). : _________________, List all places you eat lunch:____________________________________, List all places where you take a break: ____________________________, List all restrooms you use: ________________________________________, Do you smoke in the restrooms (or spend "extra" time, i.e., if a lounge is present): Yes ___ No ___, If Yes, Where:_______________________________, Did you attend any training courses outside of the building? e) Evaluate cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and fluid coolers for biofilm growth, scale buildup, and turbidity. Before flushing or disinfecting the water in these suspected sources, take water samples for analysis to determine the predominant serotypes and subtypes of L. pneumophila in the water source and to determine the number of colony forming units (CFU) per unit of water. : Yes ___ No ___, If Yes, where were they held? should be uniform throughout the cycle, Should Domestic water systems are designed to provide heated water for washing, cleaning, consumption, etc. Any other places that you have not mentioned where you spend time while on the job? temperature probes and Endotoxin vials. Nalco Chemical Company. Wet evaporative coolers, slinger air coolers and rotary air coolers common in commercial applications. should show more than 3. Determined if there were recent or frequent losses of water pressure from the incoming water supply due to line breakage or street repairs. Treatment of potential sources of contamination following sampling is described below. Yes ____ No ____, If yes, which hospital?_____________________________________, Admission Date: _________________ Date released: __________, Interviewer:________________________________ Date:______________. Yes, some people have lower resistance to disease and are more likely to develop Legionnaires' disease. However, if you have persons living with you who are at high risk of contracting the disease, then operating the water heater at a minimum temperature of 140F is probably a good idea. These devices mix water and air in direct contact to create a cool, wet air stream by evaporation. Yes. Internal sources may provide contaminated aerosolized water that is then disseminated by the air-distribution system. If you would like to take advantage of these services or want more information, contact your manager. print out from the printer of Sterilizing & Depyrogenation Tunnel. For this reason, two investigation protocols are based on differing levels of suspected risk for exposure to, A level-one investigation may be initiated when there is a probable basis for suspecting that workplace water sources are contaminated with. : Yes ___ No ___, If Yes, who? Examine the water temperature and the potential for stagnation of cold-water storage tanks used for reserve capacity or to maintain hydrostatic pressure. Download PDF Water Conference, Oct. 24-26, 1988, Pittsburgh, pp.13-19. Those who used three or more consecutive days of sick leave during this period can expect to be contacted by a representative of our company for an interview. A positive culture indicates confirmation. The levels requiring action vary for the source of exposure based on the assumption that some routes or exposure result in a greater dose to the lung. _____________________________________________________________, Training Like evaporative condensers, fluid coolers have heat-exchanger coils directly in the wet air stream. the temperature profiles as per the temperature set points set in the PLC of Evaporative condensers operate similarly to cooling towers except that refrigerant coils are inside the water path, and water passes over the coils to cool the refrigerant gas directly. data as attachment, Head Engineering Could I get the disease from natural water sources? Stout, and V.L. "Disinfection of water distribution systems for Legionella: a review of application procedures and methodologies." Health and Safety Series Booklet, HS (G)70, Library and Information Services, Broad Lane, Sheffield S37HQ, Tel: (0742) 752539. When investigating the water services within a building, it will be helpful to obtain or prepare a simple schematic diagram of the water services. Record the maximum temperature of water at faucets connected to each water heater on the system. "Potable water as a cause of sporadic cases of community-acquired Legionnaires' disease." Legionnaires' disease is a common name for one of the several illnesses caused by Legionella bacteria. Legionnaires' disease is an infection of the lungs that is a form of pneumonia. The problem arises when high concentrations of the organism grow in water sources. Page 56 7.6 HEPA Filter Leak Test In order to check filter and filter seal integrity, the HEPA filter media and seals must be directly accessible, by the measuring instrument. The temperature distribution is uniform throughout the sterilization period. Take a sample of water from the bottom drain. (See Appendix III:7-5.). Depyrogenating Tunnel when operated with Empty Chamber is capable of producing This test shall be performed by a trained personal and training record shall be Rubber or silicone gaskets provide nutrients for the bacteria, and removing them will help control growth of the organism. An HVAC condenser water system absorbs heat from the AC refrigeration units and rejects it to the atmosphere through evaporation in cooling towers. The microbiological laboratory that will analyze the samples should be able to provide the bottles. on : This cooled water circulates through the condenser side of a mechanical refrigeration unit to absorb heat. Chemically untreated, stagnant, warm-water sources provide an ideal environment for. Are there other differences between Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever? The records should include temperature checks of domestic water, visual and physical checks of cooling towers, and reports of cooling-tower water-quality assessment and chemical treatment. The location and type of all systems served by the cooling tower water including sump tanks, condensers, and indirect evaporative cooling coils in air handling units. The ability to maintain an open mind is essential in conducting an investigation because of the variety of potential sources of contamination at a facility. Non-viable airborne particle Where these temperatures cannot be maintained, control, After treatment, resample the hot water from each storage tank. Indirect evaporative air cooling in systems designed for dryer climates. been verified and adjust wherever necessary. To date, _____ case(s) of the disease has/have occurred among employees in this facility. Direct evaporative air coolers may be used as humidifiers. Natural water sources including streams, rivers, freshwater ponds and lakes, and mud can contain the organism in low levels. Warm, stagnant water provides ideal conditions for growth. Domestic cold water systems are not a major problem for, Dental water lines have recently been recognized as common sources of water contaminated with high concentrations of microorganisms including. Collect a 200 milliliter to 1 liter "preflush sample" of the first hot water drawn from the outlet. The reciprocal value of the number of dilutions is the antibody titer. Once you have identified these features, take water samples from: It is important not to overlook any potential water sources in the building. After For example: Pasteurize the hot water system by heating the water to at least 70°C (158°F) and maintain this temperature for a minimum of 24 hours. This section contains background information on water system operations and proper controls to prevent Legionella amplification. It will be necessary, following confirmation of an outbreak, to isolate individuals who are at high risk of contracting the disease from all potential sources of infection. Endotoxin Vials (Marked vials) having 10000 EU each along with the temperature Washington, DC 20210
Health Department Victoria; Melbourne Australia, "Guidelines for the Control of Legionnaires' Disease." Interviewer:__________________________ Date:_______________. Rust (iron), scale, and other micro-organisms can also promote the growth of. Water Sampling Guidelines, Appendix III:7-4. These should be protected from temperature extremes and covered to prevent contamination. : Yes ___ No ___, If Yes, where? Physical Survey and Water Sampling Protocol, Appendix III:7-3. Other equipment may also be potential sources of, Residential humidifiers are small, free-standing, portable units that use an internal fan and wet media to disseminate a wet air stream. : Yes ___ No ___, If Yes, what job and where: ____________________________________________________________________. This educational program should be part of a level-two investigation or for a Legionnaires' disease outbreak. Periodic chlorination of the system at the tank to produce 10 ppm free residual chlorine and flushing of all taps until a distinct odor of chlorine is evident is another means of control. the equipment & Record should be maintained in Annexure 1. Clean and disinfect the entire cooling system including attached chillers and/or storage tanks (sumps) following the "Wisconsin Protocol" Emergency Protocol, as follows: "Shock" treat cooling tower water at 50 ppm free residual chlorine. Legionella in Environmental Samples: Hazard Analysis and Suggested Remedial Actions. Whatever the circumstances, initiate control procedures and continue medical surveillance of the workforce to detect any new cases of disease and identify the water source responsible for the outbreak. Yes_____ No_____, Were you diagnosed as having pneumonia? Scanning shall be done at the rate of 2 feet/minute. Ship to laboratory using overnight mail. Early symptoms include malaise, muscle aches, and slight headache. Logger with 12 Probes duly calibrated. High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter A device capable of filtering 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 µm in diameter, the most penetrating particle size. public meetings, schools etc.)? This is measured by comparing the antibody level four to eight weeks after onset (convalescent titer) to an initial (acute) titer at the beginning of the disease. : Teat (Date), (QA) The revised S&HTP provides significant updates to technical information and complements current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) guidelines. Please click the button below to continue. Employees participating in surveys such as the one described above must be informed of their Privacy Act rights as well as their right to protect their own medical information. Date of Because of the 10-day to two-week delay in obtaining sample results, corrective action should begin immediately. Because all of these systems use a fan to move air through a recirculated water system, a considerable amount of water vapor is introduced into the surroundings despite the presence of drift eliminators designed to limit vapor release. Wrap absorbent paper around bottles, and place the bottles in a sealable (zip-lock) plastic bag. If an HVAC sump is used during the hours when a building is occupied, drain the sump during unoccupied hours. Test : __________________, Calibrated al. This person should have a working knowledge of the system's design and current operation. Med. This usually means that two or more confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease have been identified within a six-week period at the site. The purpose of this phase of an investigation will be to identify cases of Legionnaires' disease among the workers. Use any other technology that has been shown to be safe and effective. Legionnaires' Disease Case Identification, Appendix III:7-5. We recommend that you see a physician if you currently have pneumonia-like symptoms such as severe chills, high fever, a cough, and difficult breathing. _________________ ____________, Calibrated To qualify the test the equipment should fulfill the acceptance criteria described in the individual test procedures. Document operation and maintenance in a log or maintenance records book. We are calling to inform you that _______________________ is a patient of yours and an employee at ____________. The mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations does not imply endorsement by OSHA or the U.S. Government. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 53, (2), 1987, p. 447-453. in the individual test procedures. demonstrate that the system is capable of delivering air velocities, as per the performed to qualify the measurement of the temperature throughout the chamber Inspect the entire air distribution system (including return and exhaust systems) for visual evidence of water accumulation. This outbreak occurred in 1976, in a Philadelphia hotel where the Pennsylvania American Legion was having a convention. 200 Constitution Ave NW
Test Medical and psychological counseling services when an outbreak has occurred. Assoc., 49, (11), 1988, pp. TTY
Lukman Hakim. One of the most effective means of controlling the growth of. Depyrogenation to achieve desired temperature during the sterilization & For a level-one investigation it is not recommended that water samples be collected to confirm the presence of, The employer should take necessary corrective actions even if the results of presampling are negative. High-efficiency drift eliminators are essential for all cooling towers. L. pneumophila bacteria are widely distributed in water systems. Bromine's effectiveness is less dependent than chlorine on the pH of the water; it is less corrosive; and it also produces less toxic environmental by-products. Take new water samples and begin the testing schedule again. Large water-storage tanks exposed to sunlight can produce warm conditions favorable to high levels of. Endotoxin Challenge study. Collect at least three water samples (200 milliliters to 1 liter volume). Particulate Counter, duly calibrated with traceability certificate. The most susceptible include persons who are elderly, smokers, and immunosuppressed. Other diagnostic tests may also be appropriate. Gilpin, R.W., A.M. Kaplan, and E.F. Goldstein "Quantitation of Legionella pneumophila in one thousand commercial and industrial cooling towers." on : ________________ Calibration due: _______________, (Production) Supplemental actions include: (1) medical surveillance of all employees currently on sick leave to identify any new cases, (2) employee awareness training on the disease to minimize employee concerns and aid in early recognition of new cases, (3) assessment of past sick-leave absences for undetected cases of the disease, and (4) collection of water samples during the walkthrough assessment. Legionella pneumophila was first identified in 1977 by the CDC as the cause of an outbreak of pneumonia that caused 34 deaths at a 1976 American Legion Convention in Philadelphia.L. The revised Legionellosis (Legionnaire’s Disease and Pontiac Fever) Safety and Health Topics page (S&HTP) is now the primary OSHA resource for technical information about Legionella. Scientists are still studying this disease to learn more about it. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists publishes "Guidelines For The Assessment Of Bioaerosols In The Indoor Environment," which lists recommended minimum distances between cooling towers and fresh-air intakes. They should be protected from temperature extremes such as sunlight or other external heat or cold sources. the Sterilizing & Depyrogenation Tunnel Morris, G.K. and B.G. Elimination of these sections or frequent flushing of taps to drain the stagnant areas may be necessary to limit growth of the organism. Records show that you took sick leave for three consecutive days or more. count test. mounting joints. b) Enclosure of the system will prevent unnecessary drift of water vapor, and other design features to minimize the spray generated by these systems are also desirable. Check for cross-connections between domestic and process water systems, and note the condition and type of back-flow prevention devices. If infection occurs, disease symptoms usually appear within 2 to 10 days. Average Legionnaires' disease has an incubation period of two to ten days. cold-water storage and delivery should be at less than 20°C (68°F) to minimize potential for growth. liter of air. Date of I have a 20x25x1 inch AC filter in my house that was made by … Collect a sample of water from the outlet pipe if the plumbing provides for access. Early treatment reduces the severity and improves chances for recovery. The What are the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease? 141-146. Stout, J.E., V.L. 6. 1607-1612. Legionella bacteria are widely present at low levels in the environment: in lakes, streams, and ponds. The samples should be stored at room temperature (20° ± 5°C) and processed within 2 days. How does a person get Legionnaires' disease? Prepare samples for shipment carefully, as follows: Samples should not be refrigerated or shipped at reduced temperature. If the evidence indicates that two or more cases of Legionnaires' disease have occurred at a site, and at least one of the cases was within the last 30 days, assume that an outbreak is in progress and requires a high-priority investigation and prompt action. Stout, V.L. Head Production How did Legionnaires' disease get its name? Frequently only a convalescent titer has been measured from individuals who had symptoms of the disease. The S&HTP emphasizes the importance of effective water management plans to prevent Legionella contamination and growth while using sample results as a validation tool. Test cooling-system water at the following intervals to verify that there is no significant growth of. the temperature at various locations. When seeking employees' permission, clearly inform them that the purpose of obtaining a proper diagnosis and sharing this information with the Agency is to protect them and their fellow workers against the potential threat of legionellosis.